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Flower Mound Parks & Recreation details services, use and staffing needs for upcoming projects
Summary
Parks & Recreation Director Chuck Jennings told the council the department runs 57 parks across about 1,100 acres, operates the CAC and senior center, and has a number of unfunded staffing requests tied to planned capital additions; the presentation emphasized high usage and maintenance demands.
Chuck Jennings, director of Flower Mound Parks & Recreation, gave the council an overview of departmental services, facilities, operating metrics and budget priorities during the work session.
Jennings said the department’s mission is “enhanced quality of life for our residents” and listed core services including park planning, facilities management, recreation programming, special events and maintenance across 57 parks and roughly 1,100 acres of parkland. He told the council the town tracks performance against national benchmarks and generally rates above median comparators for cities of similar size.
Center operations and metrics: Jennings said the Community Activity Center (CAC) is the town’s recreation hub. He reported about 15,000 memberships in fiscal year 2025 and estimated roughly 329,000 annual visits across facilities and programs. The CAC staffing model includes 11 full‑time employees plus about 130 part‑time and seasonal staff, and the department seeks to maintain cost‑recovery targets when budgeting for future expansions.
Senior services and community programs: Jennings described the senior center’s growth (a 23,000 sq. ft. facility opened in 2015) and reported nearly 2,800 memberships. He cited nutrition programs, trips, health screenings, volunteer contributions (about 3,347 volunteer hours at the senior center), and national accreditation from the National Council on Aging.
Parks and facilities: The department operates 66 miles of trails (8 feet or wider), 37 playgrounds, five splash pads, 32 pavilions and multiple athletic complexes. Jennings reviewed recent and planned capital work (pool replastering, water‑slide renovations, filter media replacement, cabin and campground improvements at Twin Coast Park) and said usage at campgrounds can vary widely year‑to‑year because Lake Flower Mound is a flood control lake.
Events, arts and sponsorships: A new special events division (two full‑time staff) has increased sponsorship and program quality for events such as Fall in the Flower Mound and Independence Fest (the latter funded largely with hotel occupancy tax revenues). Cultural arts programming runs on a roughly $40,000 budget with community festivals and arts workshops.
Budget priorities and staffing requests: In the FY26 budget discussion Jennings highlighted funded items (staff development/training) and unfunded requests tied to operations and new assets: additional irrigation and maintenance crews, a contract compliance position, a programs coordinator for the senior center, and an art center manager recommended to be on board before substantial design. He said the CAC feasibility study assumed personnel costs and that the town is aiming for about 85% cost recovery for certain operations.
Council reaction and next steps: Councilmembers emphasized the link between adding park inventory and the need to grow maintenance staffing. The group agreed to continue vetting priorities during the budget process and noted that the Parks & Trails Master Plan update this summer will provide public input and opportunities to refine open‑space and preservation goals.
What’s next: Jennings said staff will return with budget amendment requests (for example, to increase Independence Fest funding) and more detailed staffing proposals tied to the CAC expansion and upcoming CIP projects.
